The Town of Southbury declared June 3-9,
2018 "National Garden
Week" with an official proclamation recognizing the
importance of gardening and the many contributions of
the Southbury Garden Club, the National Garden Clubs,
Inc. and all gardeners.

First Selectman Jeffery Manville signed the proclamation
which acknowledged that gardeners contribute: beauty and
nutrition by growing herbs, vegetables, foliage and
flowers; preserve the country’s spirit of independence
and hard work; strive for a balanced and productive
ecology; promote a healthy lifestyle that lasts a
lifetime and make a difference in their communities
worldwide.

Members displayed
plants and garden-related books throughout the Southbury
Public Library.

AN OAK TREE GROWS IN SOUTHBURY...

The Southbury Garden Club purchased a northern
red oak tree, and donated it to the Town of Southbury.
The northern red oak is an adaptable, widely planted
species with a rapid growth rate. It will reach a height
of 60 to 70 feet and a spread of 40 to 60 feet when
fully grown.

Club President Cheryl Smith, said: “Planting a tree is a
symbol of hope because it will be enjoyed by future
generations and the club hopes area residents will enjoy
this tree for many years to come.”

With help from the Town of Southbury Public Works
Department Director John Cottell, Public Works Foreman
Jim Sugden, and his hard-working crew, the tree was
planted on a hill in Community House Park in late spring.
A plaque commemorating the event will be added later.

The inspiration for the tree occurred when
Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut President Jane
Waugh installed the new Southbury Garden Club officers
and inspired us with her passion for trees.

During her two year tenure Jane chose the theme “Growing
Together: Tiny Acorns to Mighty Oaks,” a program
encouraging clubs to plants native oaks trees in their
communities. She reminded us we don’t plant trees for
ourselves, but for future generations. Jane observed:
“We have planted a forest of oaks across the state. A
lot of tiny acorns are on their way to becoming mighty
oaks!”

The program resulted in approximately one hundred new
oak trees in communities across the state.

The Southbury Garden Club is a non-profit group and
undertakes many civic projects benefitting the local
area.

HELPING PRESERVE THE TOWN’S HERITAGE

Members of the Southbury Garden Club and
the Historical Building Commission joined together
to plant and restore historically accurate gardens at the
Bullet Hill School in Southbury, one of the oldest surviving
brick schoolhouses in New England. It dates back to 1789 and
was in use until 1942. The authentic gardens feature plants used in
the school’s colonial period.

The volunteers spent several days working hard to thin and
transplant existing ferns and iris. They then added lilies,
babies’ breath, shasta daisies, black eyed Susan, bleeding
heart, lavender, sage, rosemary and thyme.

They later returned to add mulch because watering
must be done the old fashioned way… with buckets and
watering cans!

The Town of Southbury Public Works Department has
now taken responsibility for watering the new gardens.

MULTIPLE
CIVIC PROJECTS GREATLY BENEFIT AREA RESIDENTS

The
Southbury Garden Club
is a non-profit organization which undertakes many projects
benefitting Southbury and its residents. Here are some
of the activities club members have performed recently.
Some are traditional endeavors others are new projects.

Youth Activities - The SGC conducts workshops workshops
and floral related projects in cooperation with the
Southbury Public Library, local scout organizations and
school teachers and students.

Therapy Baskets for Safe Haven –
This long standing project is very popular. Each spring members assemble and decorate dozens of baskets
containing a small plant and toiletries for the clients of
Safe Haven. Club members also donates gifts during
the holiday season.

Community Garden - Club members plant, tend and harvest fresh produce
from the
club’s plots in Heritage Village and the Southbury Community
Park Garden. Lettuce,
tomatoes, beans and other veggies are harvested weekly and
brought to the Southbury Food Bank.

Library Flower Arrangements
–
Club members donate floral arrangements weekly for
display in the Southbury Public Library. The club also provides
additional floral designs for special library events.

Colonial Herb Garden
–
The club maintains an herb garden at the Bent of the
River Audubon Center, featuring plants and herbs used in
colonial times. It is an educational tool for area
students and is also a popular site for pictures and
wedding ceremonies.

Community Gardens in Town Parks –The Civic Committee plants and maintains public gardens
in Ballantine Park and Ewald Park for the enjoyment of
area residents.

Harriet
Koons Memorial Scholarship* -
The club awards a one thousand dollar scholarship
annually to a Southbury
resident who is enrolled in an accredited college, majoring in
horticulture or a related field of study which reflects the club’s goals of promoting
horticulture, conservation and the creative use of plant material.

*It is named in honor of past club president Harriet Koons. For many
years she and
her husband, Walter, generously supported many conservation projects
in the local area.
The 2018 winner was xoxoxo

HARRIET KOONS MEMORIAL HERB GARDEN AT AUDUBON FACILITY

The Southbury Garden Club has planted and maintains an herb garden at The Bent of the River Audubon
facility for almost two decades. This herb garden is for public enjoyment and educational purposes
and is named in memory of the late Harriet Koons, local
philanthropist and past garden club president.

The tornado which struck Southbury last May damaged
many trees and shrubs around the Herb Garden, so the club decided to use this opportunity to update
and overhaul the entire garden.

Keeping with the original mission of the Herb
Garden, and with guidance from local horticultural expert,
Wes Rowley, members spent many hours replanting and
replacing the entire area with a variety of herbs and
species found in colonial gardens in
Connecticut.